The Minister of Environment, Climate, and Wildlife, Evelyn Ndlovu, has called for the localisation of climate action, noting that communities and actors are best placed to identify and implement the interventions needed to respond to their climate vulnerabilities.
Speaking at the Utariri Day Celebration, Ndlovu also underscored the need to increase climate finance flows to the local level.
“The reality is that adaptation needs and vulnerabilities are locally specific. It is our communities and actors on the ground that are best placed to identify and implement the interventions needed to respond to their climate vulnerabilities,” she said.
“The localisation of climate action is of critical importance if these actions are to be locally relevant and have greater stakeholder buy-in. This includes strengthening of their direct access to climate finance for us to realise the rewards of the ‘principles of locally led adaptation’ developed in 2021 and increasingly being viewed as best practice for designing and funding adaptation interventions at the local level.”
Swedish Ambassador to Zimbabwe, Per Lindgärde, told stakeholders that the Utariri Day was the culmination of a three-year programme which the Embassy was proud to have taken part in.
“We are committed to contribute to creating enabling conditions for sustainable management and use of natural resources, conservation and restoration of biodiversity, as reflected in Sweden’s strategy for development cooperation with Zimbabwe 2022-2026. This commitment is demonstrated through our support for the Utariri Programme.
“When we first heard about the programme from the Director of DanChurchAid, we were interested in learning more about the climate change proposal programmed for the Zambezi Valley – an initiative that integrates people, conservation, climate, and ecosystems.
“Therefore, the Swedish Embassy, together with DanChurchAid, undertook a three-day mission at the end of May 2022, covering 1,500 kilometers from Harare to Hurungwe, Kariba, Gache-Gache, Mbire, and back. It gave us important insights and a better understanding of the programme,” Ambassador Lindgärde said.
The Swedish-funded Utariri, Biodiversity, Climate Change and Livelihoods Programme, was established to accelerate climate adaptation, diversify livelihoods and income options, improve biodiversity management, and reduce extractive activities through community stewardship in Nyaminyami, Hurungwe, Mbire and Muzarabani.
The Utariri consortium is made up of DanChurchAid and five partners – African Wildlife Foundation, Bushlife Conservancy, Farmers Association of Community Self Help Trust, Future of Hope Foundation, and Zambezi Valley Conservation Network.
It brings together all stakeholders involved in policy making, conservation, economic, and social spheres, with the community to work towards attaining the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
